Ronaldo plays first preseason game for Manchester United

Cristiano Ronaldo featured in his first preseason game this summer for Manchester United when the Red Devils faced Spanish La Liga side Ryo Vallecano in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

The Portuguese forward had requested to leave Old Trafford in search of UEFA Champions League football since Manchester United finished outside the top four.

However, no deal has been agreed or sorted for the former Real Madrid striker, but Erik ten Hag had always spoken of his interest in having Ronaldo for the new season.

Asides from the fact that the majority of the options available for Ronaldo have rejected to take him in for the new season, he has also tried to make it easy for United by requesting to sign a contract extension.

That means that he goes out on loan this season to play UEFA Champions League football and return next season to continue at the club.

Ronaldo played 45 minutes in the game but missed an opportunity to score for Manchester United when he blazed a Donny Van De Beek’s cross over the bar.

While it is certain that he will still be at United for their opening game of the Premier League season against Brighton on August 6, it is not assured that he will be in the starting lineup, especially after missing Manchester United’s tour of Thailand and Australia.

Nevertheless, Manchester United summer additions Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen featured in the 1-1 draw.

Erik ten Hag filed a lineup of players who did not play long in the 1-0 preseason defeat to Atletico Madrid on Saturday, and one of them is Ivorian Amad Diallo, who was at Glasgow Rangers on loan last season and scored the goal for Manchester United.

After a goalless first half, Manchester United scored first when Diallo turned in a rebound of an Alex Telles shot.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu